Embracing AI Ethically

Harnessing AI for Innovation and Integrity

At YSEALI Seeds for the Future 2025, we recognize the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving innovation and solving complex challenges. We welcome applicants to leverage AI tools creatively and responsibly to enhance their projects and proposals. This guideline outlines our policy on AI usage, emphasizing ethical practices, originality, and the crucial role of human oversight in AI-assisted work.

Our Vision for AI Integration

Responsible AI Adoption

  • Empowering Innovation: AI can amplify human creativity and problem-solving capabilities when used appropriately.
  • Ethical AI Use: Promoting ethical standards ensures AI tools contribute positively without compromising integrity.
  • Leadership in AI Adoption: As emerging leaders, applicants are encouraged to set examples in responsible AI utilization.

Guidelines for AI Usage

Acceptable AI Practices

We support the use of AI in the following ways to enhance your application and project:

  1. Data Analysis and Visualization
    • Insight Generation: Use AI to analyze large datasets and uncover trends relevant to your project.
    • Visualization Tools: Employ AI-powered software to create impactful charts, graphs, and infographics.
  2. Content Enhancement
    • Language Improvement: Utilize AI for grammar checks, style suggestions, and clarity enhancements.
    • Translation Services: Leverage AI for translating content to reach a broader audience.
  3. Idea Generation and Brainstorming
    • Creative Inspiration: Use AI to explore new perspectives or generate preliminary ideas that your team can develop further.
    • Problem-Solving Assistance: AI can help identify potential solutions, which the team can refine and adapt.
  4. Project Management
    • Scheduling and Planning: AI tools can optimize project timelines, resource allocation, and task management.
    • Risk Assessment: Employ AI to predict potential project risks and suggest mitigation strategies.
  5. Prototyping and Simulation
    • Model Development: Use AI to create simulations or prototypes that demonstrate the feasibility of your project.
    • Testing Scenarios: AI can help test different scenarios and outcomes, enhancing project robustness.

The Human-in-the-Loop Principle

  • Collaborative Synergy: AI should augment human creativity, not replace it. Maintain active human engagement in all AI-assisted processes.
  • Critical Oversight: Humans must critically assess and refine AI outputs, ensuring alignment with project goals and values.
  • Original Contribution: The core ideas, strategic decisions, and final content must originate from and be validated by the human team members.

Ethical Considerations and Compliance

Transparency and Disclosure

  • Honest Reporting: Applicants must disclose the use of AI tools in their application, detailing how and where they were used.
  • Impact Explanation: Explain how AI contributed to your project without compromising the originality of your work.

Respecting Intellectual Property

  • Avoiding Plagiarism: Ensure that AI tools do not introduce unoriginal content or infringe on others’ intellectual property rights.
  • Attribution: When AI tools incorporate external data or content, provide proper citations and references.

Data Privacy and Security

  • Responsible Data Use: When using AI tools that process data, ensure compliance with data protection laws and ethical standards.
  • Consent: Obtain necessary permissions if your AI applications involve personal or sensitive information.

Prohibited AI Practices

Unacceptable Uses

Automated Content Generation for Core Submissions

  • No AI-Written Proposals: The main narratives, such as project summaries, problem statements, and impact descriptions, must be written by team members.
  • Avoiding AI Drafting: Do not submit AI-generated content as is; always substantively revise and personalize any AI-assisted material.

Misrepresentation of AI Use

  • Concealing AI Assistance: Failure to disclose AI usage is considered a breach of integrity.
  • False Claims of Originality: Presenting AI-generated ideas as entirely your own without proper human development is unacceptable.
  1. Overreliance on AI
    • Minimal Human Input: Relying heavily on AI without significant human contribution undermines the application’s authenticity.
    • Bypassing Learning Opportunities: Excessive AI use can prevent applicants from fully engaging with the project development process.

Consequences of Misuse

Accountability Measures

  • Evaluation Impact: Unethical AI use may negatively affect the assessment of your application.
  • Disqualification: Severe breaches, such as plagiarism or undisclosed AI-generated content, will lead to disqualification.
  • Future Eligibility: Misconduct may influence your eligibility for future YSEALI programs and partnerships.
  • Reputational Impact: Upholding integrity is crucial for your personal and professional reputation within the YSEALI network.

Strategies for Ethical AI Integration

Maximizing AI Benefits Responsibly

  1. Idea Development
    • Brainstorming Sessions: Use AI to generate a wide range of ideas, then critically evaluate and refine them with your team.
    • Enhancing Creativity: Let AI challenge your thinking patterns and inspire innovative solutions.
  2. Research Support
    • Information Gathering: AI can help compile research from reputable sources, which you should analyze and synthesize.
    • Identifying Gaps: Use AI to highlight areas needing further exploration or clarification.
  3. Feedback Mechanisms
    • Iterative Improvement: AI tools can provide immediate feedback on writing style, coherence, and structure.
    • Team Collaboration: Share AI-assisted drafts among team members for collective enhancement.
  4. Skill Development
    • Learning Opportunities: Engage with AI to improve your technical skills and understanding of AI applications.
    • Staying Informed: Keep abreast of the latest AI developments to leverage new tools effectively.

Implementing the Human-in-the-Loop Approach

Active Human Participation

  • Critical Thinking: Always question and evaluate AI outputs, integrating your expertise and judgment.
  • Customization: Tailor AI-generated suggestions to fit the unique context of your project.
  • Ethical Deliberation: Consider the ethical implications of AI recommendations and adjust accordingly.

Documentation and Reflection

  • Process Records: Keep logs of how AI was used throughout your project development.
  • Reflective Practice: Regularly assess how AI integration is affecting your work and make adjustments to maintain authenticity.

Disclosure of AI Usage

Application Requirement

  • AI Usage Declaration:
    • Question: Did your team use AI tools to assist in preparing this application?
      • Options: Yes / No
    • If Yes:
      • Description Required: Provide a detailed account (up to 200 words) of how AI tools supported your application.

Sample Disclosure

*”Yes, we utilized AI tools in the following ways:

  1. Data Analysis: We used Claude to analyze survey data from our target community, identifying key trends that informed our problem statement.
  2. Language Enhancement: Grammarly helped us refine our proposal for clarity and conciseness.
  3. Brainstorming Sessions: AI-assisted brainstorming using ChatGPT generated initial ideas, which we collaboratively developed and personalized.

We ensured all AI outputs were critically evaluated and adapted by our team to maintain originality and alignment with our project’s goals.”*

Balancing Innovation and Integrity

Embracing AI technology offers vast opportunities to enhance your proposal’s impact. However, it is crucial to balance innovation with ethical considerations, ensuring that AI serves as a tool to amplify your team’s original ideas and efforts.

Your Role as Future Leaders

As participants in YSEALI Seeds for the Future 2025, you are at the forefront of shaping how AI will be integrated into societal advancements. By adhering to these guidelines, you set a precedent for responsible AI use and demonstrate leadership in ethical innovation.

Next Steps

  1. Integrate AI Thoughtfully:
    • Identify areas where AI can add value to your project without overshadowing human contribution.
  2. Develop Your Application:
    • Apply the human-in-the-loop approach to ensure authenticity and originality in your submission.
  3. Prepare Your Disclosure:
    • Be transparent about your AI usage, providing clear and honest descriptions.
  4. Submit with Confidence:
    • Knowing that you have harnessed AI ethically and effectively, present your application proudly.

We Are Here to Support You

Should you have any questions or need further guidance on AI usage, please reach out to the YSEALI support team. We are committed to assisting you in navigating these emerging technologies responsibly.

Good Luck!

We are excited to see how you will innovatively and ethically integrate AI into your projects to create meaningful change across Southeast Asia.